The 2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone performs observe the chief

It took 15 years for the third-generation Toyota Tundra to reach and all through my time with it, one query stored recurring: “Is that this the perfect they may do?”

With a brand new luxurious Capstone trim, a strong hybrid powertrain, an in-your-face design, and modern options, the 2023 Toyota Tundra isn’t a nasty truck.

It simply seems like a large missed alternative. Toyota might’ve come out swinging with a segment-busting product like the A-BAT hybrid pickup idea from 2007, but it surely performed observe the chief as a substitute. No person wins by following.

I spent per week selecting up provides on the native fleet provide retailer, towing boats, and hauling youngsters on a highway journey to determine the place the 2022 Toyota Tundra matches within the truckosphere. The reply is murky, particularly within the $75,000 Capstone trim.

Going hybrid

A hybrid Tundra was lengthy overdue for the corporate that made its modern-day repute on the again of a fuel-sipping Prius. However as a substitute of punching a gap available in the market and delivering a truck with unbelievable gas effectivity, Toyota aimed for energy in an try and finest the competitors. Numbers on paper aren’t the identical as actuality.

The highest-shelf Capstone trim atop the Tundra lineup pairs a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 and hybrid system to supply 427 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. On paper this powertrain is probably the most highly effective possibility in a light-duty pickup truck this facet of a Ford F-150 Raptor R or Ram 1500 TRX, but it surely doesn’t really feel as highly effective. The hybrid system operates seamlessly and within the background, in contrast to the hybrid system within the F-150 with its clunky 1-2 and 2-3 shifts and hybrid energy handoffs. Even when unloaded mashing the go pedal doesn’t present the ahead grunt one will discover within the F-150 Hybrid with 400 hp and 510 lb-ft and even the outgoing high-out twin-turbo V-6 beforehand obtainable within the F-150 Restricted with 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque.

4-wheel drive is normal on the $75,925 Capstone mannequin, however regardless of the luxurious mannequin’s giant worth its four-wheel-drive system is an historical part-time system. No full-time system is offered on any Tundra, although Capstone fashions characteristic an computerized limited-slip rear differential.

The large energy numbers on paper went for gold on the sacrifice of gas economic system. The hybrid Tundra horse-trades gas economic system scores with the non-hybrid variant. Hybrid fashions carry EPA scores of 19 mpg metropolis, 22 freeway, and 20 mixed whereas non-hybrids are rated at 17/23/19 mpg. In actuality I noticed a tragic 15.1 mpg in (a reasonably quick) 40 miles of combined suburban driving in line with the journey pc. Falling wanting EPA scores, once more, the Tundra averaged 19.4 mpg over the course of 203 freeway miles. With the boat (towing is an especially inefficient exercise) the truck averaged 9.4 mpg over 158 miles. None of those real-world numbers are markedly higher than a V-8-powered truck from the competitors, although they’re higher than the outgoing 5.7-liter V-8 within the second-generation Tundra, which at occasions would common simply 14 mpg on the freeway unloaded.

As disappointing because the hybrid powertrain is, the 10-speed computerized transmission delights. No matter whether or not its stop-and-go site visitors, freeway cruising, or towing 5,000 lb, the Toyota-built unit snaps off fast, clear shifts. This may be the perfect transmission obtainable as we speak in a light-duty pickup truck. The programming by no means permits the transmission to get misplaced in all of the gears.

Hooking up the boat

The act of bodily hooking a ship as much as the Tundra is fairly easy due to the big display and a number of digicam angles. As soon as the boat and trailer combo is connected to the rear of the Tundra, there’s the flexibility to enter a number of key particulars reminiscent of variety of axles on the trailer, kind of hookup used (i.e. hitch), and brake kind (i.e. electrical brakes or surge). This data might be saved in a profile, after which the truck can do its personal evaluation concerning the trailer’s size inside the first few toes of driving. It then integrates the trailer into the truck’s blind-spot monitoring system to bear in mind the additional size. It labored flawlessly and was a lot less complicated than Ford’s enter system for trailer data.

With a 5,000-lb fiberglass walleye boat and dual-axle trailer setup hooked to it, nonetheless, the motivation at pace is downright disappointing. Passing isn’t a difficulty, however the place the high-output twin-turbo V-6 within the final F-150 would lunge ahead as if the identical boat and trailer didn’t exist, no Tundra driver will ever overlook there’s a trailer hooked to this factor. This doesn’t really feel like 583 lb-ft of torque. And whereas the Capstone’s rear air shocks will self-level the suspension so it doesn’t sag, the trailer lash is current always in contrast to with an F-150.

The protection methods demand the driving force be buckled throughout low-speed reverse maneuvers for a chime to not consistently ding. Having a seat belt on makes backing up a lot much less comfy and in sure conditions troublesome. Tow mode or hooking up a trailer with the 7-pin gentle and brake connection doesn’t disable security methods reminiscent of reverse computerized emergency braking. As an alternative, the driving force has to manually flip off the methods by digging by way of the menus within the gauge cluster. Ought to somebody overlook this step it’s going to inevitably result in the truck slamming on the brakes whereas reversing a trailer, which might severely harm somebody within the boat on the launch.

Screaming take a look at me

The second-generation Tundra blended in, however nobody will accuse the third-generation of doing the identical. With a daring exterior design there’s no lacking the Tundra taking place the highway.

Whereas not for everybody, the design is distinctive. The huge grille is a bit a lot, however the sculpted headlights with multi-element LED models, large bumper finish caps, and centrally-mounted fog lights that border on driving lights are all engaging. The vertical LED talilights characteristic sequential flip alerts. The sculpted hood and fenders give the truck a punched-out look with out including precise width.

In contrast to each different light-duty pickup available on the market, the Tundra retains its quick mattress sidewalls that make it doable for somebody to succeed in over into the mattress to seize issues. The shorter mattress partitions additionally make for a decrease tailgate peak when open, which interprets to a decrease lift-over peak for loading cargo into the mattress. The mattress is now fabricated from a resin composite as a substitute of metal, which suggests it gained’t rust, although different bits on the truck nonetheless can.

In a “I can’t consider Ford didn’t consider that” truck innovation, Toyota put in an electrical tailgate launch that may be bumped with an elbow whereas carrying one thing with each arms subsequent to the driver-side taillight. Clutch.

However similar to with Ram and Nissan, the rear bumper step continues to be a drop-down step like a pores and skin tag. At the very least on the Capstone mannequin it’s computerized and energy operated. Basic Motors’ nook bumper steps are a a lot better concept.

Capstone fashions class up the Tundra with a satin silver grille, chrome facet mirror caps, chrome trim, and engaging 22-inch wheels.

White was a nasty alternative

Each Tundra Capstone encompasses a two-tone white and black black leather-based inside. Numerous touch-heavy surfaces together with the seat backs, entrance heart armrests, door uppers, and door pulls together with a part of the dashboard are coated in white leather-based.

On day one it most likely seems good. Upon hooking up a ship and twiddling with the receiver for the hitch I discovered myself wanting on the inside questioning how on the planet I used to be going to close the door with out ruining the white leather-based with my soiled palms. White isn’t a sensible leather-based coloration for a pickup truck.

The huge 14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system’s interface is simple to navigate and is augmented by onerous buttons, but it surely lacks the flexibility to separate the display. When Apple CarPlay is pulled up it overtakes your complete system, and no one wants that a lot Apple CarPlay.

Whereas comfy for 5 passengers, the inside packaging is compromised. The entrance seat occupants’ view of the highway is hindered by a brief windshield. This is because of a excessive entrance cowl and tall dashboard to provide the Tundra its imposing look inside and outside. It’s the alternative of the terrific view from the entrance seat of a Ram 1500 and Ford F-150. The rear seat, which has loads of knee, foot, and leg room, is stadium model with the hybrid battery pack mounted beneath the seat backside. This locations the rear seat occupant larger than these in entrance for a bizarre view, and people over 6-foot tall will both run out of head room or really feel extraordinarily excessive.

Whereas total the inside feels hole and low-cost with good supplies offering a skinny veneer, the gear selector is an odd excessive level. The beefy console-mounted shifter doesn’t wiggle just like the unit within the Ford F-150, and isn’t a rotary design like most Ram 1500s. It’s immediately my new favourite shifter in a light-duty pickup truck with stable, satisfying motion because it clicks into place.

Toyota continues to supply an digital rear window that slides down into the again of the cab. It’s helpful when backing up and making an attempt to speak with somebody. It’s a really pleasant characteristic that solely the Tundra provides.

Fails to alter the sport

The $75,925 Tundra Capstone is a tricky promote in opposition to the nicer Ram 1500 Restricted or Ford F-150 Restricted.

However with a composite mattress that’s simpler to entry than the competitors, distinctive design, and neat touches just like the sliding rear window and bump launch for the tailgate, the Tundra may simply be value contemplating in a inexpensive trim.